Air-conditioning distribution system

ABSTRACT

An air-conditioning distribution system in combination with a heat exchanger and blower which can be used to distribute cooled or heated air to various locations throughout a building without the use of usual ducting. By utilization of one or more distribution boxes located on the supply side of the air distribution system, air can be distributed in controlled amounts to various locations throughout the building by means of flexible tubing eliminating the necessity for metal ducting fabricated to the specific dimensional requirements of the building. By eliminating the metal ducts, a standard or modular system can be supplied which can be readily installed on the premises in accordance with the requirements of the building.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Sam Goldberg 1961 Leonard Lane,Merrick, NY. 11566 [21] Appl. No. 792,991 g [22] Filed Jan. 22, 1969[45] Patented Jan. 5, 1971 [54] AIR-CONDITIONING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 7Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 98/39, 165/50 [51] Int. Cl F24t 1/00 [50] Field of Search165/50; 237/12.3A; 285/177; 98/(Flexible Con Digest), 40C

[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,025,271 12/1935 Compo285/177X 2,032,103 2/1936 Tise 138/53 2,620,720 12/1952 Booth l65/126X2,837,288 6/1958 Owen et al...... 237/8A 3,394,887 7/1968 Megarle et al.237/12.3A FOREIGN PATENTS 1,307,295 9/1962 France 285/158 PrimaryExaminerEdward J. Michael Attorney-Blum, Moscovitz, Friedman and Kaplanrequirements of the building. By eliminating the metal ducts,at

standard or modular system can be supplied which can be readilyinstalled on the premises in accordance with the requirements of thebuilding.

PATENTEU JAN SIS?! 3552.294

SHEET 1 OF 2 5 E ""i h I H L. 'l /9 F a./

lNVlo'N'IOR. v SAM GOLDBERG Mam/MK ATTORNEYS 1 AIR-CONDITIONINGDISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to an air-conditioning distribution system which eliminatesthe need for prefabricated metal ducting. While not so limited, thesystem is especially suitable for the installation in existingbuildings, and especially homes, of air-conditioning systems used forcooling. Most air distribution systems make use of metal ducts whichmust be prefabricated to specific dimensions with joints, elbows andother connections which will permit installation of the duct systemin'existing buildings or buildings under construction. Metal ducting isexpensive to fabricate, especially as it cannot be mass produced. Inexisting buildings, installation of the ducting at specific locationsand through predetermined openings compounds the problem and those inthe art are well aware of the difficulties of fabricating, handling andinstalling metal ducting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with theinvention, flexible tubing is utilized in place of metal ducting forcarrying the cooled or heated air to and from the heat exchanger. Inorder to provide even distribution and to provide means for controllingsame, one or more distribution boxes are provided on the supply sidewhich receive air from the heat exchanger and which form junction boxesfor further distribution, through flexible tubing, of the air to variouslocations throughout the building. The distribution boxes can be soconstructed and arranged that they can readily connect to flexibletubing of various sizes and means may also be provided for controllingthe flow of air to the various remote locations.

It should be noted that, while the phrase air-conditioning is usedthroughout this application, it is used in a general sense and is notintended to be limited to the cooling of air since the system can beused to distribute warm air as well as cool air and can also be used asa single system which can be changed over between warm and cool air withthe change of seasons. The air supplied to the system is. the functionof the heat exchanger to which the system is connected, the heatexchanger, per se, forming no part of the instant invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide anair-conditioning distribution system of improved construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedair-conditioning distribution system which eliminates the need forprefabricated metald ucting.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air-conditioningdistribution system making use of distribution boxes in the deliveryofair through flexible tubing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedair-conditioning distribution system incorporating distribution boxes ofimproved construction.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference is had to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical air-conditioning distributionsystem constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinstant invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken alongline 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken alongline 5-5 of FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a heatexchanger is indicated generally at 11 which includes a blower 12 andmay include cooling coils if the heat exchanger is used forcooling or aheater plenum if the heat exchanger is used for heating. A mixing box 13is connected at the supply side of the heat exchanger for receiving theoutput from the blower. In the embodiment shown, mixing box 13 includestwo outlets 14 to which are connected flexible tubes 15. Each flexibletube 15 terminates at a distribution box 16, with each distribution boxincluding a plurality of outlets 17. Connected to a selected number ofoutlet 17 are flexible tubes 18, each of which terminate at a register19.

To the return side of heat exchanger 11 is connected a return box 21 towhich is connected a flexible tube 22. Flexible tube 22 is connected toa return register (not shown) to provide a return of air to the system.

If it is desired to air condition an existing house, .for example, thesystem hereinabove described could be quickly and easily installed, allwithout the use of metal ducting. Heat exchanger 11 could be mounted onthe floor of the attic with the cooling coils connected to an externalcompressor. Mixing box 13 and return box 21 is also mounted on the floorof the attic and connected to the heat exchanger. The size of thebuilding or house to be cooled and the air flow requirements willdetermine the number of distribution boxes to be used. In the exampleshown, two distribution boxes 16 are located on the floor of the atticat spaced locations from mixing box 13. For example, one distributionbox would be located at one end of the house and the other distributionbox at the other end of the house. The distribution boxes areprefabricated as completed or knocked down assemblies and can be locatedat any convenient place within the attic. Flexible tubes 15 areconnected between the mixing box and the distribution boxes and the useof the flexible tubes allows the tubes to be positioned at will and cutto length during the installation.

Registers 19 are located throughout the house for bringing the necessaryamount of air into each room. On the level immediately below the attic,registers 19 may be mounted in the ceiling 23 as shown in FIG. 5. For atwo or more story house, registers may be located through the-walls ofthe lower floors or in the floor abovethe basement. All'registers areconnected to a respective one of the distribution boxes through flexibletube 18. For the registers in the ceiling, it is merely necessary torandomly position the flexible tube and cut it to length on the job. Onlower floors, the flexible tube may be snaked through the walls andconnected to the wall registers or maybe passed down through a centralopening in the house, such as around the chimney, and connected to floorregisters accessible from the basement. If desired, a large sizeflexible tube can communicate with a distribution box located in thebasement with the distribution box being connected to the variousregisters through a smaller size flexible tube.

It should be noted at this point that, the location of elements in theattic is by way of example only. The system provides sufficientflexibility to locate the various elements at any convenient placethroughout the house or building. Thus, a crawl space or basement isequally suitable. By utilization of the system of the instant invention,the usual limitations placed on installation of a system which usesmetal ducting are completely eliminated.

For the return line, a return register is located at a suitable placeand connected via flexible tube 22 to return box 21. Those skilled inthe art will readily understand that the building acts as a plenum forthe return system and, so long as the return system is of sufficientsize to handle the air flow, the location of various return registers issubstantially less critical than the location and size of the supplyregisters and supply lines.

A preferred construction of mixing box 13 is shown in FIG. 2. The mixingbox is fabricated as a hollow cube with the usual sheet metal walls 31and is lined with insulation 32. Outlets 14 are formed of stepped,cylindrical connectors 33 which are secured by any suitable means, suchas rivets 34 to a flanged opening 35 in the walls of the mixing box. Thediameter of the flexible tube to be used on any particular installationis dictated by the volume and rate of air flow required to cool or heatthe building which is to receive the installation. By use of the steppedcylindrical connections, the mixing box can automatically accommodatevarious sizes of flexible tubing. In FIG. 2, flexible tubing is shownoverfitted on one portion of each connector and a suitable band 36 maybe provided for clamping the flexible tube onto the connector. Duringthe installation, the unused portions of the stepped connector 33 ofsmaller diameter may be cut away so as notto obstruct air flow.

A preferred construction of distribution box 16 is shown in FIGS. 3 and4. The distribution box is also fabricated as a cube or elongated cubehaving walls 41 formed of the usual sheet metal with insulation 42lining the walls. Note that the insulation, in addition to reducing heattransfer, also acts to deaden the sound of the rushing air. A pluralityof stepped cylindrical connectors 43 are secured to the distribution boxat flanged openings 45 through suitable means such'as rivets 44. Thenumber of outlets or connectors utilized in any particular system willdepend on the requirements of the system and, for each used outlet, aflexible tube 18 is overfitted with the stepped cylindrical connectorand held thereon by a band 46.

Since use of all the outlets may not be required and since it is oftendesirable to control the flow through used outlets, dampers may beprovided in cooperation with each flanged opening 45 to completely closeor'selectively open the opening. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, channels47 are secured to the inner surface of wall 41 spanning opening 45. Thechannels slidably receive a plate 48 having a screw 49 connectedthereto. Screw 49 extends upwardly through a suitable slot 51 in wall 41and has mounted thereon a guide ball 52 and a wing nut 53. The guideball guides along slot 51 and transmits motion through screw 49 to plate48=to adjust the position of the plate. Wing nut 53 may be tightened tolock the plate in any desired preset position. Thus, if a particularflanged opening 45 is not to be used, plate 48 may be moved intoposition to completely block the opening. Ifthe opening has a flexibletube 18 connected thereto, the plate may be moved so as to control thesize of the opening. This is especially desirable for the balancing ofthe system after the installation has been completed in order that theproper amount of cooled or heated air is supplied to each room orlocation.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the usual prefabricated sheetmetal ducting is completely eliminated. With the system of the instantinvention, a mixing box and a return box can be provided for connectionto the heat exchanger and one or more prefabricated distribution boxescan be supplied for installation at selected locations. Thereafter, toconnect up-the system, it is merely necessary to utilize flexible tubesuitably positioned and cut to size thereby effecting a substantialsaving in time and money. While the system of the instant invention isespecially useful for installations in existing building, it can alsoeffect a great saving in time and money when used as an installation ina building during construction.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the precedingdescription, are effciently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. i

I claim:

1. An air distribution system for buildings in combination with heatexchange apparatus including a blower comprisin mixing box means forreceiving air from the supply side of sai heat exchange apparatus, atleast one distribution box having a plurality of outlets, a flexibletube communicating between said mixing box means and each of saiddistribution boxes, a plurality of supply registers, a flexible tubecommunicating between each of said supply registers and one of saidoutlets, means cooperatingwith said distribution box for selectivelycontrolling the flow of air through at least some of said outlets, andreturnbox means for delivering return air to said heat exchangeapparatus.

2. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 1 including at leasttwo distribution boxes, each of said distribution boxes being locatedremote from said mixing box and being connected to said mixing box by aflexible tube.

3. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least oneof said outlets consists of a stepped connector having walls of at leasttwo different cross-sectional sizes, said stepped connector extendingoutwardly from a wall 'of said distribution box, the cross-sectionalsize of the wall of said stepped connector defining the largest of saidcrosrvsectional openings being closest'to the wall of said distributionbox.

4. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 3 wherein 7 saidstepped connector consists of walls defining openings of at least threedifferent cross-sectional sizes, the wall defining the smallest of saidcross-sectional sizes being located the furthest from the wall of saiddistribution box.

5. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wallsdefining said stepped connector are cylindrical in cross section.

6. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said meansfor selectively controlling the flow of air through an outlet includesdamper means having a slidable plate for selectively covering anduncovering a cooperating one of said outlets.

7. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said dampermeans includes a pair of channels secured to the.

inner surface of a wall of said distribution box surrounding saidoutlet, said plate being slideably received in said channels, a slotthrough said wall extending parallel to said channels, a control membersecured to said plate and extending through said slot, and meanscooperating with said control member for selectively locking said plateagainst sliding movement in said channels.

1. An air distribution system for buildings in combination with heatexchange apparatus including a blower comprising mixing box means forreceiving air from the supply side of said heat exchange apparatus, atleast one distribution box having a plurality of outlets, a flexibletube communicating between said mixing box means and each of saiddistribution boxes, a plurality of supply registers, a flexible tubecommunicating between each of said supply registers and one of saidoutlets, means cooperating with said distribution box for selectivelycontrolling the flow of air through at least some of said outlets, andreturn box means for delivering return air to said heat exchangeapparatus.
 2. An air distribution system as claimed in claim 1 includingat least two distribution boxes, each of said distribution boxes beinglocated remote from said mixing box and being connected to said mixingbox by a flexible tube.
 3. An air distribution system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein at least one of said outlets consists of a steppedconnector having walls of at least two different cross-sectional sizes,said stepped connector extending outwardly from a wall of saiddistribution box, the cross-sectional size of the wall of said steppedconnector defining the largest of said cross-sectional openings beingclosest to the wall of said distribution box.
 4. An air distributionsystem as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stepped connector consists ofwalls defining openings of at least three different cross-sectionalsizes, the wall defining the smallest of said cross-sectional sizesbeing located the furthest from the wall of said distribution box.
 5. Anair distribution system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the walls definingsaid stepped connector are cylindrical in cross section.
 6. An airdistribution system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means forselectively controlling the flow of air through an outlet includesdamper means having a slidable plate for selectively covering anduncovering a cooperating one of said outlets.
 7. An air distributionsystem as claimed in claim 6 wherein said damper means includes a pairof channels secured to the inner surface of a wall of said distributionbox surrounding said outlet, said plate being slideably received in saidchannels, a slot through said wall extending parallel to said channels,a control member secured to said plate and extending through said slot,and means cooperating with said control member for selEctively lockingsaid plate against sliding movement in said channels.